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| Dakota Access Pipeline to win US Army permit for completion | Dakota Access Pipeline to win US Army permit for completion |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The US Army has informed Congress that it will grant permission to complete the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline near tribal territory. | The US Army has informed Congress that it will grant permission to complete the controversial Dakota Access Pipeline near tribal territory. |
| The notice comes a month after Donald Trump formally backed the project in one of his first acts as US president. | The notice comes a month after Donald Trump formally backed the project in one of his first acts as US president. |
| Thousands of predominantly Native American protesters have boycotted the $3.8bn (£3bn) pipeline's construction in the state of North Dakota. | Thousands of predominantly Native American protesters have boycotted the $3.8bn (£3bn) pipeline's construction in the state of North Dakota. |
| The Standing Rock Tribe vowed to fight the decision in court. | The Standing Rock Tribe vowed to fight the decision in court. |
| Trump backs Keystone XL and Dakota Access | Trump backs Keystone XL and Dakota Access |
| Dakota Pipeline: What's behind the controversy? | Dakota Pipeline: What's behind the controversy? |
| The 1,172 mile (1,886km), four-state project is almost finished except for a one-mile stretch under Lake Oahe in North Dakota, where demonstrators have set up protest encampments. | The 1,172 mile (1,886km), four-state project is almost finished except for a one-mile stretch under Lake Oahe in North Dakota, where demonstrators have set up protest encampments. |
| The Army's statement on Tuesday said: "The Department of the Army announced today that it has completed a presidential-directed review of the remaining easement request for the Dakota Access pipeline, and has notified Congress that it intends to grant an easement." | The Army's statement on Tuesday said: "The Department of the Army announced today that it has completed a presidential-directed review of the remaining easement request for the Dakota Access pipeline, and has notified Congress that it intends to grant an easement." |
| Easement is a special permit that allows a company to cross private land. | Easement is a special permit that allows a company to cross private land. |
| Final approval is expected to be announced as soon as Wednesday. | Final approval is expected to be announced as soon as Wednesday. |
| Standing Rock Sioux lawyers said approval of the project cannot be "legally granted at this time". | Standing Rock Sioux lawyers said approval of the project cannot be "legally granted at this time". |
| But North Dakota's two US senators welcomed the Army's announcement. | But North Dakota's two US senators welcomed the Army's announcement. |
| James Cook, North America Correspondent | |
| As the spring thaw approaches, opponents of the pipeline who have maintained their protest through the bitter winter months are full of fighting talk. | |
| There has been a great deal of activity at the main Oceti Sakowin site on the Cannonball river as its occupants strike camp in preparation for annual flooding. | |
| An attempt to set up an alternative camp on land owned by the pipeline company Energy Transfer Partners was short-lived, and resulted in 75 arrests (taking the total since August close to 700) but at least three new camps have been established in recent days. | |
| Among those arrested was Chase Iron Eyes, a prominent member of the Standing Rock Sioux tribe who says he is facing five years in jail on charges - which he denies - of inciting a riot and criminal trespass. | |
| Mr Iron Eyes and other tribal leaders have issued a call for "water protectors" - as the demonstrators call themselves - who left for the winter to return. | |
| Heidi Heitkamp, a Democrat, said the decision brought "certainty and clarity", while John Hoeven, a Republican, said the pipeline would serve the nation's need for new energy infrastructure. | |
| Environmental groups, including Greenpeace, the Sierra Club, and the Center for Biological Diversity, issued statements criticising the decision. | Environmental groups, including Greenpeace, the Sierra Club, and the Center for Biological Diversity, issued statements criticising the decision. |
| They accused the Trump administration of putting corporate profits ahead of Native Americans and the environment. | They accused the Trump administration of putting corporate profits ahead of Native Americans and the environment. |
| Nearly 700 people have been arrested since protests first began last year, according to law enforcement officials. | Nearly 700 people have been arrested since protests first began last year, according to law enforcement officials. |
| Just last week 76 protesters were arrested after refusing to leave land owned by the energy company. | Just last week 76 protesters were arrested after refusing to leave land owned by the energy company. |
| The proposed crossing point for the pipeline is upstream from the tribe's territory, raising fears that any rupture could threaten drinking water supplies. | The proposed crossing point for the pipeline is upstream from the tribe's territory, raising fears that any rupture could threaten drinking water supplies. |
| The pipeline's owner, Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, says the project is safe. | The pipeline's owner, Dallas-based Energy Transfer Partners, says the project is safe. |
| In September, the Obama administration announced that it would not allow the project to proceed. | In September, the Obama administration announced that it would not allow the project to proceed. |
| Just before President Trump's inauguration, the Army Corp of Engineers took steps to launch a full environmental impact study of the project. | Just before President Trump's inauguration, the Army Corp of Engineers took steps to launch a full environmental impact study of the project. |
| But days after the new Republican president took office he issued a memorandum ordering the Army "to review and approve in an expedited manner". | But days after the new Republican president took office he issued a memorandum ordering the Army "to review and approve in an expedited manner". |
| Pipeline supporters say it will allow North Dakota oil to be transported more cheaply, allowing the US industry to better compete with Canada. | Pipeline supporters say it will allow North Dakota oil to be transported more cheaply, allowing the US industry to better compete with Canada. |